2024’s incessant winter deluge won no friends here, seriously disrupting our various sporting programmes throughout the term. Even so, a huge diverse set of experiences still ran, nicely captured on our website newsreel here. Last week out came the sunshine, smiling on a host of enterprises, as our boys and girls raised funds for their chosen charities. We will publish the totals collected and the charities that will benefit shortly.

RBWM Planning has continued to be incredibly slow in dealing with our planning applications for additional facilities at Senior Boys (original determination deadline, 4 December 2023) and at Juniors (original determination deadline, 11 January 2024). The good news is that at least there appears to be agreement in principle to our proposals.

With Claires Court Juniors now settled at Ridgeway, we have so much to celebrate in the ongoing academic year. At the recent PTA AGM there, we recognised a range of recent achievements that the association has supported, from the success of the Combined Cadet Force and Sailing Club to our talented gymnasts, dedicated sporting touring groups and of course to the support of our 12 Ukrainian students. Year 12’s Viktoriia Habruk spoke passionately to those present about the incredible difference Claires Court has made to the lives of all of her compatriots. In recognition of her own contribution, courageous engagement and incredible success at GCSE, we have nominated Viktoriia for the Independent Schools Association’s highest honour, the Lord Lexden Prize, 2024. 

We are delighted to announce that following the appointment of Mr Richards as Head of Seniors from September, we have now appointed Mrs Vicky Ruddick as Senior Deputy Head, with specific responsibility for the Senior Girls school. Mrs Ruddick is currently Deputy Head Pastoral at Senior Girls, a well known face already in our school leadership team and will be supported with her pastoral responsibilities with the addition of new Heads of Year for Years 9 and 10. As the school moves forward, we are confident that this new leadership structure will only enhance the senior schools and we congratulate both on their appointments.

Approaching my final term leading Senior Boys, I eagerly anticipate a more balanced role as Academic Principal, working alongside Mrs Kirby, Mr Richards and Mr Hope. This adjustment will better allow me to address the challenges and opportunities ahead, including the existential threat to our sector posed by the Labour Party, which requires our focused attention and strategic planning. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all for your unwavering support, which has been instrumental in our achievements and will continue to be invaluable as we navigate the future together.

Breaking staff news – our congratulations go to Miss Heather Frost, teacher of Food & Nutrition on her selection for the GB Premier Dragon Boat Team for the European Championships in the Czech Republic this July!

Finally, we wish a long and restful retirement to Mrs Lorraine Downing who left us at the end of February after over 28 years’ service in Ridgeway’s kitchen, latterly as its Cook.

With best wishes for the Easter break,

Hugh and James Wilding 

Principals